Dear Friends and Colleagues,
It’s giving season, and we’re celebrating the holidays by thanking you for the work you do throughout the year to enrich lives in our community. Many CCAR members volunteer for service in the Helping Hands Committee,* the YPN Committee* and the CCAR Scholarship Foundation,* and we are grateful for the hours you spend throughout the year to raise dollars and awareness about these important charitable organizations. And none of it
Helping Hands Fund Turns Good Times into Good Deeds
$5,000 Donation to Feed 15,000+ Locals in Need
would be possible without ALL our members who donate so generously.
Thank you!
Zina
CCAR Members Continue A 58-Year Mission
Next time you get an invitation to a CCAR event, don’t dismiss it as “just another party” or an excuse to grab a few drinks with colleagues.
Every ticket purchased, every raffle entered, and every conversation shared helps create real change in our community. CCAR events do more than connect members—they fuel our Helping Hands Fund, which supports local nonprofits feeding, sheltering, and uplifting thousands of our neighbors in need.
This year, because of your participation and generosity, the Helping Hands Fund has donated approximately $40,000 to individuals and local charities in our community. Most recently, the group committed $5,000 to fund more than15,000 meals for families across Contra Costa, Alameda, and Solano Counties. Donate now by clicking on one of the buttons below. Thank you for your support!
Since 1967, the CCAR Scholarship Foundation has helped local students enter the halls of higher education — and this year was no exception. At the 2025 Scholarship Awards Luncheon held in June, the Foundation presented 20 awards to deserving students from across the county, continuing a long tradition of community investment in education.
Young Pros. Big Purpose: YPN Fills Classrooms with Hope and Supplies
Even in communities that seem comfortable and affluent, not every family can afford a backpack, notebooks, or basic school supplies when a new school year begins. That’s where CCAR’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) continues to make a difference.
The Foundation’s mission is simple yet profound: to support the pursuit of higher education by local residents. Scholarships are open to high school seniors, college undergraduates, graduate students, and trade school students, each evaluated through a rigorous selection process that considers academic achievement, community service, and personal drive
These students representing cities from every corner of Contra Costa County—are now attending universities and trade programs across the nation, pursuing degrees in fields that will shape the future of our communities.
A Legacy of Giving
The CCAR Scholarship Foundation draws its financial support from Realtors®, industry affiliates, corporations, and generous community donors. Over the years, these collective contributions have created a lasting legacy of opportunity.
Notably, the CCAR Board of Directors has established Perpetual Scholarships in honor of special initiatives and individuals, including the CCAR Diversity Scholarship, the Centennial Scholarship, and the Nate Ellis Memorial Scholarship, named in tribute to a beloved past training director.
The Affiliates and Events Committee also plays a major role in supporting the Foundation, donating a portion of proceeds from fundraising events each year. Their efforts—and the continued generosity of our members—fuel the Foundation’s ability to give more students a brighter future.
Over the past 12 years, the CCAR Scholarship Foundation has awarded 265 scholarships, totaling an impressive $740,000 in educational funding. That means hundreds of local students have been able to attend college, vocational programs, and graduate schools—students who might otherwise have faced barriers to achieving their goals.
Each scholarship tells a story of determination, community, and the ripple effect of generosity. As these students go on to become engineers, teachers, nurses, business leaders, and innovators, their success becomes our community’s success.
CCAR’s dedication to education goes beyond transactions and market trends—it’s about building strong foundations for future generations. By investing in students, our members are investing in the continued vitality of Contra Costa County.
You Can Help: Members and affiliates can support the CCAR Scholarship Foundation through direct donations, event participation, or sponsorships. Each contribution—no matter the size—helps sustain this long-standing program and the promise it represents for local youth.
Last August the CCAR YPN team organized their 5th annual School Supply Drive that collected hundreds of essential learning tools for local children. The outpouring of generosity from members turned what began as a small local effort into a real force for good — helping ensure that kids from every background can start the year with confidence and dignity.
Each of these items represents more than just school supplies—it represents opportunity, self-esteem, and a community that refuses to overlook need just because it isn’t always visible.
YPN’s initiative reminds us that success isn’t just measured by sales—it’s also measured by service. Through volunteerism, drives, and creative giving, CCAR members continue to show that the real estate community’s impact extends far beyond property lines.
* Many Thanks to 2025 Committee Volunteers and Scholarship Trustees *
Helping Hands Committee
Jennifer Newton, Chair
Victoria Haket, Vice Chair
Marilyn Cunningham
Jamie Gaines
Diane Gilfether
Victoria Haket
Sue Kuehn
Lisa Lilley
YPN Committee
Gilda Whitehead, Chair
Cherry Wade, Vice-Chair
Ruthie Abelson Olivas
Jordan Burns
Ashley Newton
Gabrielle Rajasekhar
Victor Reyes
Rolanda Wilson
Stephen Wondolowski
Scholarship Foundation Trustees
Angela Muetterties, President
Marianne Bordogna, Vice President
Bill Erb, Treasurer
Michael Moore, Secretary
Ruthie Ableson Olivas
Jonas Champion
Lupe Kemper
Terry Moore
Long Nguyen
CCAR ANNUAL SPONSORS
Platinum Partner, NAR Corporate Ally Program
CCAR is proud to be a RESO Platinum Certified MLS, the highest level of certification available.
